BMO Global Asset Management Recognized with Lipper Fund Awards

CHICAGO, March 12, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- BMO Global Asset Management announced today that it was recognized by The Lipper Fund Awards, one of the industry's most respected award programs.  The awards honor asset managers and individual mutual funds in the U.S. that have excelled in delivering consistently strong risk-adjusted performance relative to their peers. 

A member of BMO Asset Management U.S.( M&I Investment Management Corp.), which is a part of BMO Global Asset Management, was designated as  Best Fixed Income Manager within the small company category, an Asset Class Group Award.

The BMO Intermediate Tax-Free Fund and the BMO Small-Cap Growth Fund were both recognized for best risk-adjusted performance over 5 and 10 years, respectively, among the Fund Classification Awards.

"In this very competitive and volatile market, it is especially powerful to have our team be honored with these respected awards," said Barry McInerney, Co-CEO BMO Global Asset Management and CEO BMO Asset Management U.S. "The team consistently delivers strong performance on these funds and we are proud they are being rewarded for their excellence."

"The keys to success for our investment teams include implementation of a disciplined approach over the long-term to identify opportunities, and capitalize on them," said Tommy Huie, President and CIO BMO Asset Management, U.S. "Our goal is to provide our clients with product solutions they can count on, by maximizing return potential while managing risk."

ABOUT THE FUNDS

Performance data quoted represents past performance and past performance is not a guarantee of future results. Investment returns and principal value will fluctuate so that an investor's shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Mutual fund performance changes over time and current performance may be lower or higher than what is stated. To receive the most recent month-end performance, call 1-800-580-3863 or visit bmofundsus.com. Performance quoted does not reflect the effect of a 2% redemption fee which is imposed on any shares redeemed or exchanged within 30 days. For more information about performance, please contact your investment professional.

The net expense ratio shown reflects contractual expense waivers made by the Adviser. These contractual expense waivers may not be terminated by the Adviser prior to July 6, 2013 unless the investment advisory agreement is terminated. Without these contractual waivers, the Fund's return would have been lower.
Please see the prospectus for more information.

For the 1-year period ending 12/31/11, the BMO Intermediate Tax-Free Fund Y Shares ranked 65 out of 174 funds within Lipper's Short-Intermediate Investment Grade Debt Funds category. For the 3-year period, Y Shares ranked 27 out of 140 funds. For the 5-year period, Y Shares ranked 1 out of 127 funds. For the 10-year period, Y Shares ranked 8 out of 88 funds.

For the 1-year period ending 12/31/11, the BMO Small-Cap Growth Fund Y Shares ranked 274 out of 511 funds within Lipper's Small-Cap Growth Funds category. For the 3-year period, Y Shares ranked 50 out of 444 funds. For the 5-year period, Y Shares ranked 15 out of 388 funds. For the 10-year period, Y Shares ranked 13 out of 252 funds.

The Lipper Ranking is based on total returns and does not reflect a sales charge.  Lipper Analytical Services, Inc. is an independent organization that compiles performance data on investment companies.  Ratings stated are for the share class indicated only; other classes may vary.

You should consider the Funds' investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses carefully before investing. For a prospectus and/or summary prospectus, which contains this and other information about the BMO Funds, call 1-800-580-3863. Please read it carefully before investing.

Keep in mind that as interest rates rise, bond prices fall. This may have an adverse effect on the Fund's portfolio. Interest income from the Fund's investments may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax (AMT) for individuals and corporations, and state and local taxes.

Funds that have a higher concentration of investments in a specific industry or sector may be subject to a higher degree of market risk than funds whose investments are more diversified.

LIPPER FUND AWARDS METHODOLOGY

General Methodology
Criteria (Cumulative)

• Funds registered for sale in the respective country as of the end of the calendar year of the respective evaluation year.
• At least 36 months of performance history as of the end of the calendar year of the respective evaluation year.
• Lipper Global classifications with at least ten distinct portfolios based on the primary share class definition, excluding residual classifications, institutional and other non retail funds, private, closed-end, exchange traded, insurance and linked funds.
• Asset classes: equity, bond, and mixed-asset except for Absolute Return funds where money market and other fund asset types are considered as well.

Fund Classification Awards
The currency for the calculation corresponds to the currency of the country for which the awards are calculated and relies on monthly data. Classification averages are calculated with all eligible share classes for each eligible classification. The calculation periods extend over 36, 60, and 120 months. The highest Lipper Leader for Consistent Return (Effective Return) value within each eligible classification determines the fund classification winner over three, five, or ten years. For a detailed explanation please review the Lipper Leaders methodology document on www.lipperweb.com.

Fund classification awards are given to the company that has the day-to-day responsibility of investing and monitoring the assets under management within the fund's portfolio in order to achieve the investment objectives of the fund. This company is also referred as portfolio management company or investment advisor. The award goes to the fund management company in case that no such company has been appointed or several such companies share the task.

Asset Class Group Awards
Fund groups with at least five equity, five bond, or three mixed-asset portfolios in the respective asset classes are eligible for a group award. The lowest average decile1 rank of the three years' Consistent Return measure of the eligible funds per asset class and group will determine the asset class group award winner over the three-year period. In cases of identical results the lower average percentile rank will determine the winner. Asset class group awards will be given to the best large and small groups separately. Small groups will need to have at least three distinct portfolios in one of the asset classes – equity, bond, or mixed-asset.

Lipper Fund Awards
The Lipper Fund Awards are part of the Thomson Reuters Awards for Excellence, a global family of awards that celebrate exceptional performance throughout the professional investment community.  The Thomson Reuters Awards for Excellence recognize the world's top funds, fund management firms, sell-side firms, research analysts, and investor relations teams.  The Thomson Reuters Awards for Excellence also include the Extel Survey Awards, the IFR Awards, the PFI Awards, the StarMine Analyst Awards, and the StarMine Broker Rankings.  For more information, please contact [email protected] or visit excellence.thomsonreuters.com

About BMO Global Asset Management
BMO Global Asset Management offers a broad array of investment solutions to institutional investors, and retail and high-net-worth individuals, worldwide.  BMO Global Asset Management clients have access to experienced investment teams at multi-disciplined asset managers headquartered in Chicago and Toronto, and investment specialist boutiques based in Hong Kong, London, Miami and Toronto.  With over $100 billion in combined assets under management as of October 31, 2011, BMO Global Asset Management delivers investment solutions designed to meet the diverse needs of investors across North America, Europe, Asia/Pacific and the Middle East.  BMO Global Asset Management is a brand name for BMO Financial Group's asset management companies.  

BMO Global Asset Management comprises BMO Asset Management U.S., BMO Asset Management Canada, and BMO's specialized investment boutiques: HIM Monegy, Inc.®, Pyrford International Ltd, Lloyd George Management (BVI) Ltd  and Taplin, Canida & Habacht, LLC.  BMO Asset Management U.S. consists of Harris Investment Management, Inc. and M&I Investment Management Corp., and BMO Asset Management Canada consists of BMO Asset Management Inc. (formerly Jones Heward Investment Counsel Inc.). BMO Global Asset Management is part of the BMO Financial Group, a service mark of Bank of Montreal (BMO).

Certain companies within BMO Global Asset Management offer a number of products and services designed specifically for various categories of investors in a number of different countries and regions. These products or services are only offered to such investors in those countries and regions in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.  

Investments are: Not FDIC Insured | No Bank Guarantee | May Lose Value

Investors should carefully consider the investment objectives, risks, charges and expenses of the BMO Funds. This and other important information is contained in the prospectuses and/or summary prospectuses, which can be obtained by calling 1-800-580-3863 or by visiting our website at bmofundsus.com. Please read carefully before investing.

M&I Investment Management Corp. is the investment adviser to the BMO Funds. M&I Distributors LLC is the distributor. BMO Funds is the brand name for Marshall Funds, Inc.

Intermediate Tax-Free Fund:  Interest income from the Fund's investments may be subject to the federal alternative minimum tax (AMT) for individuals and corporations, and state and local taxes.

Small-Cap Growth:  Funds that have a higher concentration of investments in a specific industry or sector may be subject to a higher degree of market risk than funds whose investments are more diversified.

SOURCE BMO Financial Group